LeBron Passes Kobe To Take Over No. 1 Spot On NBA Jersey Sales List

Heat F LeBron James "has passed" Lakers G Kobe Bryant "to take over the No. 1 spot on the NBA's best-selling jersey list this season," according to Michael McCarthy of USA TODAY. This marks the "first time in seven years James has grabbed the top spot." Bryant's No. 24 jersey "has had a stranglehold on the No. 1 spot" since the beginning of the '08-09 season. James "damaged his image" with ESPN's "The Decision," but his image "could be rebounding based on sales of his No. 6 Heat jersey." In "another surprise," Celtics G Rajon Rondo "has cracked the Top 3 for the first time." Five Celtics players -- Rondo, F Paul Pierce, F Kevin Garnett, G Ray Allen and C Shaquille O'Neal -- rank in the Top 15 best-selling jerseys, marking the "first time five players from the same club have made the list." The list is "based on sales at NBAStore.com" since the start of the regular season (USATODAY.com, 4/13). CNBC's Darren Rovell notes Rondo ranked 15th last season, making it the "biggest jump of any player this season." The move is "remarkable given his popularity is still likely limited to the Boston area." Hornets G Chris Paul "saw the biggest drop, falling out of the top 15 after finishing 7th last year" (CNBC.com, 4/13).

TOP 15 PLAYERS IN JERSEY SALES AT NBASTORE.COM FOR '10-11 SEASON

RANK

PLAYER

RANK

PLAYER

1

Heat F LeBron James

9

Magic C Dwight Howard

2

Lakers G Kobe Bryant

10

Wizards G John Wall

3

Celtics G Rajon Rondo

11

Clippers F Blake Griffin

4

Knicks C Amar'e Stoudemire

12

Celtics C Shaquille O'Neal

5

Bulls G Derrick Rose

13

Celtics G Ray Allen

6

Heat G Dwyane Wade

14

Celtics F Paul Pierce

7

Thunder F Kevin Durant

15

Celtics F Kevin Garnett

8

Knicks F Carmelo Anthony

TEAMS: The Lakers ranked No. 1 on the list of the NBA's most popular team merchandise for the eighth time in the last nine seasons. The Celtics remain in the No. 2 spot, where they have been since the start of the '08-09 season. The Thunder entered the top 10 for the first time at No. 6 (NBA).

TOP 10 MOST POPULAR TEAM MERCHANDISE AT NBASTORE.COM FOR '10-11 SEASON